Legendary former Colombian captain Carlos ‘El Paibe’ Valderramamade his position clear in the face of the decisive meeting Group K of the 2026 World Cup. between Colombia and Portugal, scheduled for June 27, 2026. According to Valderrama, the key is in don’t change the starting line-upmaintain the intensity shown in the second game and set conditions from the first minute against one of the contenders for the title.
In dialogue with national and international media, Pibe assured that the team ‘he plays well’ and he summed up his idea with a phrase which he repeated several times:
“The team that wins doesn’t change”
Valderrama explained that in the second match against Democratic Republic of the CongoColombia “he played very well” but he encountered an archer who reacted perfectly. Based on this reading, he argued that the key to fighting Portugal was not a change in structure, but keep up the pace shown in this presentation.
The former captain also ruled out an approach based on fear of the opponent’s individual strength. When asked about Cristiano Ronaldo and other Portuguese figures responded firmly:
“Monster with monster. They have a monster, so do we.”
Immediately after this he added that there is no place for fear, although there is a place for I respect.
Nestor Lorenzo wants to secure first place in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup North America – photo courtesy of Illustrative Image Infobae
“The team that wins doesn’t change”: position in eleventh place
Valderrama insisted on the lineup throughout the conversation. When asked about affiliation James Rodriguez what if he had to play in attack Cordoba O Luis Javier Suarezback to the same line:
“I’m from the old one. So why would we change the team if the team is winning and playing well?”
In his analysis result and form went hand in hand. He said that he liked both games, but he made a difference in favor of the second: “If we play like we did in the second game, so much the better. We played the second game very well. So you have to keep up that pace.”.
The mention of the opposing goalkeeper completed his diagnosis: for Valderrama, the attacking setup was already showing sufficient signs and the main obstacle lay in the reaction of the goalkeeper, not in the structural deficiency of the team.
Given questions about James Rodriguez’s ownership,
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal: “Respect” not fear
consulted Cristiano RonaldoValderrama rejected the idea that Colombia should enter the match from a worse position:
“No, be afraid, no. We are not going to be afraid of him, we respect him, as always.”
In the same answer, he assessed the reliability of the Portuguese striker: “Cristiano is not finished yet. On the contrary, this is an example.”“, he said, contrary to opinions that considered him finished as a footballer.
When asked for a more tactical message in the face of a title candidate, he summed up his slogan: “You need to set conditions from the first minute”. He also admitted that Portugal ‘this is one of my favorites’but added: “We are also favorites”. Valderrama concluded his prediction without nuance: “We will win”.
The portrait features James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo in the foreground, with a minimalist background reminiscent of the stands of a football stadium – courtesy of Illustrative Image Infobae.
“I’m just another fan”: his current connection with the national team
In addition to football analysis, Valderrama spoke about how he experiences today’s national team matches:
“I’m just another fan. I’ve gotten used to it after so long. “I come to show strength, but I am always confident that the national team will win and play well.”
He also described his ritual when Columbia plays: “Always with a shirt”” he said, adding that even when asked to wear a tie, he prefers to wear the team jacket.
In another section he sent a message Luis Diaz: “Let him continue to play like this, we can see it”. Recalling his time as a World Cup player, he mentioned Bernardo Redin, Coroncoro Perea th Rene Higuitaand noted that in those years what he missed most was not the game itself, but “the atmosphere in the locker room”.
Source: Infobae